TRBDM -Chapter 83 She Is Luo Feiyang

Early the next morning, Xie Wanrou was served a bowl of medicinal soup personally brewed by Xie Wanyi.

The medicine was so diluted it looked like rice water, filling an entire large bowl.

Xie Wanrou asked in confusion, “Why is today’s medicine brewed so thin?”

The maid who usually delivered the medicine replied,

“Miss, this was personally brewed by Second Miss. She came to the small kitchen at Moyun Courtyard very early this morning and had this servant stand aside while she tended the stove herself for a full hour. Second Miss has just returned to Linshui Courtyard to catch up on sleep.”

Yesterday, Wei Zhaorong had told Xie Wanrou that from now on her medicine would be brewed by Xie Wanyi. At the time, Xie Wanrou had merely listened without taking it to heart.

No one knew Xie Wanyi’s temperament better than she did. Just getting her to rise early was as difficult as ascending to the heavens—let alone having her watch over a stove to brew medicine.

Yet today, she had actually done it.

“Miss, please drink without worry. This servant watched the whole time. It’s just that Second Miss couldn’t quite control the fire, so the medicine turned out weak. You may have to drink a bit more today.”

Xie Wanrou was gentle by nature and would not make a fuss over such a trivial matter. She lifted the bowl and drank it clean.

That entire day, all of Xie Wanrou’s medicine was decocted by Xie Wanyi. However, it was clear that the person brewing it grew increasingly impatient.

The evening bowl was even thinner than the morning’s—so watery it could reflect a person’s face.

Without the slightest change in expression, Xie Wanrou drank it down. No matter how unpleasant it tasted, it would be the last time. She was certain that tomorrow, Xie Wanyi would not come again.

To persist for a single day was already no easy feat—but that was the limit.

Sure enough, the next morning’s medicine returned to its usual form.

One’s nature is hard to change. Xie Wanyi could not fulfill Wei Zhaorong’s demand. Accustomed to selfishness, she had ultimately grown distant from the Marquis’ household.

After finishing her medicine, Xie Wanrou went to the small kitchen at Moyun Courtyard.

Today, she would personally make pastries.

Xie Wanrou was skilled not only in the four arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—but also in embroidery and dressmaking. She was particularly adept at making pastries.

Her pastries were unlike those sold in shops outside—delicate and exquisite. Each piece, from its color to its shape, was crafted so beautifully that one could hardly look away.

She worked busily until nearly noon before finally completing them.

She instructed the maids to divide the pastries into several portions and send them to the various courtyards.

The remainder were placed into a three-tiered wooden food box.

Carrying the food box, Xie Wanrou boarded a carriage and headed for the Court of Judicial Review.

The Court of Judicial Review remained solemn as ever, the ceremonial drum in the courtyard still imposing.

Yet this time, Xie Wanrou felt unusually light at heart.

“Miss Xie, please have a seat. Lord Jiang is currently hearing a case and will be here shortly.”

The person who led her in said this and then departed.

Left alone in the room, Xie Wanrou felt somewhat restrained, as if she had intruded upon someone else’s life.

Only then did she belatedly regret coming so hastily without first sending word ahead.

Placing the food box on the table, she sat down and did not move again. Propriety forbade prying—Lord Jiang’s study was filled with case files, not meant for outside eyes.

After a while, footsteps sounded from outside, accompanied by voices:

“He refuses to confess? Then use torture directly. I’d like to see whether the instruments are harder or his mouth is.”

“My lord, he is the nephew of the Minister of Personnel. If torture is used, what if the Minister pursues the matter later—”

“If the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is punished like the common people—let alone a mere wastrel. When he forced himself upon that common girl, he should have known this day would come.”

As the word “Heaven” fell, Jiang Yuelin stepped into the room. Just as he was about to continue speaking, he suddenly noticed the slender figure seated by the table.

“Master Jiang.” Xie Wanrou rose gracefully and offered him a gentle smile.

“Miss Xie?” Jiang Yuelin was clearly taken aback.

“My sudden visit is presumptuous. I hope I have not disturbed you, Lord Jiang.”

Jiang Yuelin quickly concealed the surprise on his face. “No, it’s nothing.”

Today, Jiang Yuelin was not wearing his crimson official robe. Instead, he was dressed in a dark, ink-black brocade robe with subtle patterns—cool and distant, giving off an air of detachment.

Xie Wanrou felt another wave of regret. She shouldn’t have come on her own like this.

“Miss Xie, did you come to see me for something?”

Summoning her courage, Xie Wanrou lifted the food box from the table. “I made some pastries today. I specially brought them to thank Lord Jiang for your help.”

“Oh?” Jiang Yuelin took the box and opened it.

A delicate fragrance wafted out from the small, exquisitely crafted pastries.

“They smell wonderful. Which shop made them?”

“I made them myself.”

“Oh?” Jiang Yuelin was surprised for the second time. “Miss Xie knows how to make pastries?”

“It’s only a hobby. My skills aren’t refined. I hope Lord Jiang won’t mind.”

Jiang Yuelin had been busy handling cases today and hadn’t even eaten breakfast. He happened to be hungry at this moment.

“May I eat them now?” he asked.

“Of course.”

He picked up one and placed it into his mouth. The pastries were small—two bites were enough to finish one.

Though he ate quickly, there was nothing improper about his manner. On the contrary, his posture remained elegant. Even after eating five in a row, he did not appear the least bit wolfish.

Jiang Yuelin felt slightly embarrassed. He had eaten too many.

But the pastries were truly, truly delicious—perfectly suited to his taste.

Eating quickly left his mouth dry. Just as he was about to pour himself some water, Xie Wanrou handed him a cup.

“Lord Jiang, please have some water.”

He accepted the cup. Their fingers brushed briefly before separating at once.

After finishing the water, the emptiness in his stomach was finally gone.

“The pastries are very good. Thank you, Miss Xie. By the way, did you come to ask about the progress of Lei Lieshan’s case?”

Xie Wanrou smiled and shook her head. “No. I actually came with good news. After thinking it over, I felt I should tell Lord Jiang in person.”

“What good news?”

“My mother sought an imperial audience and obtained a divorce edict for me. Lei Lieshan and I are no longer husband and wife.”

Joy appeared on Jiang Yuelin’s face. “That is indeed good news. Congratulations, Miss Xie.”

Embarrassed, Xie Wanrou lowered her head. “My dowry has also been returned to the Marquis’ residence in full.”

Jiang Yuelin assumed she was referring to the portion of her dowry currently detained at the Daming Temple and immediately replied, “Once Lei Lieshan’s case is thoroughly investigated, the part of your dowry held at Licheng Bank will all be returned to you.”

Xie Wanrou realized he had misunderstood. She had only impulsively wanted to share her happiness.

But it was awkward to explain, so she rose to take her leave. “Then I will trouble Lord Jiang with the matter. I shall take my leave now. I’ve disturbed you for quite some time—please forgive me.”

Jiang Yuelin hadn’t expected her to come and go so quickly. He could only say, “Miss Xie, take care.”

Just as Xie Wanrou stepped out the door, a woman in tight-fitting attire with a high ponytail approached from the opposite direction.

As they brushed past each other, the woman shot Xie Wanrou a disdainful glance and gave a heavy snort.

“Lord Jiang, I’ve requested to see you many times, yet you refused me every time. So it turns out you were willing to see her.”

Xie Wanrou had not gone far. Judging by the tone, it seemed the woman was speaking about her. She stopped and turned back in confusion.

“Miss Luo, your involvement in Lei Lieshan’s case is extensive. Refusing to see you was to avoid suspicion.”

“And what about her? She’s Lei Lieshan’s wife. Why are you willing to see her?”

Those two short sentences made Xie Wanrou’s hands and feet go numb.

This woman—

She was Luo Feiyang.